Today, I’m visiting with Liz Klein, a Dallas writer with a lot of experience on the non-fiction side. Since I concentrate on fiction, I sometimes don’t give enough attention to the non-fiction writers.  For that, I offer my apologies.  But today, we hear from Elizabeth Klein, a Dallas writer who does more non-fiction, but still keeps her hand in fiction as well.

JRC:  Let’s start with your job as Associate Editor of Equanimity Magazine. When I think of equanimity, I think of mental composure. Can you tell us a little about the magazine, and your job on it? Do you mostly edit or write, or balance both?

Liz:   I love the name! The magazine (http://www.balancinglifestylesmag.com/) is about balancing lifestyles in our busy world; the goal is to improve the readers’ daily lives. Being the associate editor is at this point a very part-time job since it comes out quarterly. Each issue has a theme – the Winter 2012 issue is about Global Happiness, for example. And we are always looking for good writers – guidelines are at http://equanimitymag.com/SubmitStory.aspx and you can read prior issues online to get an idea of the kinds of articles, stories and poetry that might be of interest. I had one article, “Five Simple Steps to Healthier Eating,” published in the Spring 2012 edition, but mostly I edit other people’s articles.

JRC:   Okay, writers.  Here’s a nationally distributed publication, with growing circulation, that is looking for writers.  Check it out.

You also said you did business writing. Can you tell us a little about that?

Liz:  I’ve edited two books, both non-fictions. I’ve written web copy for small businesses, and I’ve had several blog entries published. I have a couple of clients that I do job advertising writing for, since I used to be a technical recruiter. I also do research related to technical recruiting. I do resume writing for candidates and occasionally for a recruiting firm. I do a quarterly newsletter for one client. I’m currently editing a novel for a beginning writer. Most of the people I’ve worked with come to me through referrals, since at this point my time is somewhat limited. But I love the variety of working on diverse projects with business owners and with other writers.

JRC:   You’re involved with the Writers’ Guild of Texas. What do you do for that group?

Liz:  I’m on the board, and I’m the coordinator for the WGT Critique Group. Mostly it involves going to meetings, networking to find good speakers and workshop teachers for the large group meetings, critiquing in the smaller critique group, and spending time with the board members and writers.

By the way, we have a great workshop coming up in November on “Building an Author Platform” (http://www.writersguildoftexas.org/pages/Workshops.html). We have speakers at almost every meeting. Some talk about the craft of writing and others teach us about the business of writing. It’s a great group for learning about all aspects of the profession.

JRC:  You do have some great programs.  These are generally in the conference room of the Richardson (a suburb of Dallas) Public Library.  I visit whenever I can (but it is 125 miles away).  I remember one speaker earlier this year.  She was an accountant and an author and gave great information on the finances of writing.  I know you also hold down a full-time job. Where do you find the time?

Liz:  I like staying busy. Maybe because I had 3 children in 6 years.  So I spent a lot of years juggling multiple projects, like figuring out how to get three children to three different soccer fields in widely distributed locations, getting them to school and church, cooking, cleaning, and doing 20+ loads of laundry every week. My children are grown now, and even with a full-time job, I have more freedom than I’ve ever had before. I work for a non-profit organization that supports libraries and museums with continuing education and consulting. My department is grant-funded and part of my job is keeping track of our statistics for reporting purposes. We review dozens of grants for other institutions and offer them feedback. I also edit a lot of the reports that we deliver to clients. I’ve been there for 8 years. We have a treasure house of knowledge and history within our libraries and museums and it is fascinating to work with them.

JRC:   I know you write short stories. In fact, you won the Northeast Texas Writers’ Organization’s (NETWO) 2012 short story contest. Tell us about your short story writing – was this your first, or do you write a lot of stories?

Liz:  I worked on a newspaper many years ago, so I have a journalism background. I also took several creative writing classes in college (a long time ago!) and actually wrote some stories and a novel way back then, but I kind of set writing aside during the child-rearing years. I got serious about writing in 2005 when I joined a small critique group, and I’ve been in critique groups ever since. I’m currently working on a book of interrelated short stories and hope to have it completed by the end of the year.

JRC:   Where do you get your ideas for short stories?

Liz:  One day I sat down and brainstormed titles with myself. Sounds odd, but it works. I wrote a series of titles with color words in them; another with number words; and then an alphabetical list. Just dashed them off, like a stream of consciousness thing – no editing. Several turned into stories; not all. One of the writers in our critique group recently challenged us to come up with 5 ideas a day this month — I like that challenge! It’s a lot, and they won’t all work out, but if you come up with several ideas, some will be good. Sometimes it’s overhearing a snippet of conversation in a restaurant, or reading a newspaper article, or seeing an intriguing face, or remembering an event from childhood – ideas can come from anywhere. If an idea keeps calling to a writer, it’s important to pay attention to it.

JRC:   How about a fiction book?

Liz:  I’m working on a mystery novel. I’m in a smaller critique group called Pentad that has 5 members, all working on mysteries. Great fun.

JRC:   Any writing advice you’d like to leave for the readers?

Liz:  I really enjoyed the NETWO conference and I’ve often thought about Jodi Thomas’ advice – that it takes 1,000 pages to get published. I’m almost there. What I love about writing is that you can keep learning and getting better your whole life. If I have one regret it is that I didn’t stick with writing consistently when I was younger. But the good news is that I have the freedom and the time to do the work now. If any of your readers would like to connect with me, I have a profile on LinkedIn at:

www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmklein

and later this year (it’s not up yet) I’ll have a blog at www.ToPlaywithWords.com

JRC:  How great is it to have someone willing to volunteer to help other writers.  Thanks, Liz.  You and the Writers’ Guild of Texas (WGT) are a big help to writers.